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High Point Market Announces Programming

Photo credit: Romolo Tavani/Adobe Stock

August 13, 2021

This fall’s High Point Market, scheduled for Oct. 16-20, will shine a spotlight on sustainability through an immersive, inspirational activation called “Sustainability Stories.” Exploring the home furnishings industry’s embrace of sustainability, the program will encompass the highly trafficked Center Stage area, located adjacent to the Transportation Terminal.

Open daily during Market, Sustainability Stories at Center Stage will introduce attendees to the latest innovations and opportunities in sustainable furnishings, materials and design and introduce new ways to grow one’s business in this increasingly important market.

Beginning on Friday, Oct. 15, educational programming will welcome various topic experts to Center Stage at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Featuring designers, manufacturers, and industry associations, the lineup will overview a diverse array of opportunities for the home furnishings industry and offer actionable advice for those looking to improve their eco-footprint.

Scheduled seminars include:

  • The Big Shift: Why Circular Design is the Way of the Future, featuring Chad Bolick, Laurence Carr, Susan Inglis, Cisco Pinedo, and Kathryn Richardson
  • 3 Distinct Views – One Eco-Focused Goal, featuring Rachel Bradley, Laurence Carr, Nancy Fire, and Jennifer Levy
  • Foam Recycling: Creating Jobs for Today and Home Decor for Tomorrow, featuring Scott Jones
  • Eco-Friendly Manufacturing: A look behind the scenes, featuring Brian Brigham, Nancy Fire, Jay Hertwig, Jason Phillips, and Erin Weston
  • Weaving Together Social Impact and Sustainability, featuring Jennifer Levy and Sasha Wallace
  • Navigating the Sustainable Product World, featuring Hilary Farr and Nancy Fire

Special programming also scheduled includes:

  • The Sustainable Furnishings Council Presents: The Green Ribbon Awards, hosted by Laurence Carr, John Douglas Eason, Anelle Gandelman, and Susan Inglis
  • Designer Meet & Greet for Sustainable Room Designs, featuring Laurence Carr, Nancy Fire, and Jennifer Levy
  • The Sustainable Furnishings Council’s 2021 Wood Furniture Scorecard Results, hosted by Breegan Jane and Susan Inglis

Beyond programming, several elements will be available throughout the entirety of Fall Market. Product storyboards will highlight several High Point Market exhibitors and other industry partners with their individual eco-focuses, sharing the variety of ways furniture manufacturers and others in the industry can prioritize sustainability. The sustainable storyboards exhibit will feature:

  • Antique and Design Center of High Point
  • Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc.
  • City of High Point
  • Crypton Home Recycled Cotton Fabric featured on Cisco Home
  • Crypton Home Recycled Cotton Fabric featured on Rowe Furniture
  • Copeland Furniture
  • Gabby
  • Jaipur Living
  • Libeco Inc.
  • Polywood
  • Sherwin-Williams
  • Sustainable Furnishings Council
  • Triad Non-Profit Foam Recycling Project

A variety of program elements will encourage active participation and engaged learning from visitors. Three featured designers – Laurence Carr, Nancy Fire and Jennifer Levy – with expertise in sustainable design will curate room vignettes composed of sustainably-focused products from High Point Market exhibitors, telling the story of how an earth-friendly focus can easily be incorporated in beautiful and functional interior design projects.

“Focusing on sustainability at Fall Market is important because sustainability is not a trend; it’s a lifestyle,” said Fire. “By educating others we can build more awareness in our industry on what products are sustainable, how they are sustainable, and where these products can be found at High Point Market.”

Product storyboards will be on display in a separate area from various High Point Market exhibitors and other industry partners with an eco-focus, sharing the variety of ways furniture manufacturers can prioritize sustainability.

“At CAVdesign, we are always on the lookout for sustainable products to incorporate into our work, as well as checking into how the companies we work with support the communities they impact,” said Levy. “Through this Sustainability Stories program, we are excited to have the chance to share how we can create beautiful, replenishing environments that also support social and environmental health.”

In addition to the interactive displays, a daily programming schedule will welcome various topic experts to Center Stage. Featuring designers such as Carr, Fire and Levy, as well as associations like the Sustainable Furnishings Council, the lineup will overview a diverse array of opportunities for the home furnishings industry and offer actionable advice for those looking to improve their eco-footprint.

“We are at an exciting inflection point in terms of sustainability within the industry,” said Carr. “I’m seeing more companies take an interest in sustainability and circularity, thanks in large part to consumer demand. I expect we will see this trend continue to grow in our industry – it’s wonderful to witness it unfold!”

Unifi’s Repreve Mobile Tour will participate in the activation, sharing how the tour’s partnerships with furniture manufacturers are transforming recyclable bottles into fibers for home furnishings.

A recycling station will be on hand to encourage Market attendees to actively participate in an important aspect of the program’s focus.

Saturday and Sunday evenings will transition the space to the popular Eats & Beats event, offering Market attendees complimentary food and beverages in a relaxing outdoor setting with local musical entertainment.

“Our future, both for our industry and our planet, depends on how we address sustainability,” said Levy. “The Fall Market’s focus on sustainability will create an opportunity for us to share best practices and raise awareness about ways we can all be part of the solution.”

The full Center Stage schedule will be available in early September. More details can be found on High Point Market’s website.